Bio

JT

Success can
be defined in many different ways, and for a songwriter who is also a recording
artist, the best definition of success is to remain true to who you are as an
artist. This may often mean eschewing the chart trend and going your own way musically.
JT Hodges, who considers himself a writer as much as an artist, did that on his
self-titled debut two years ago, and takes the same path for his upcoming, as
yet to be titled sophomore release. The lead single, “Already High,” is setting
the stage for a new album’s worth of music from Hodges that will reflect his
growth musically, stylistically and as a storyteller.

“I have
respected country music all of my life and no matter where country music goes
stylistically it will always be a lyric based format,” Hodges said. “It’s the kind of music where people
want to hear a story and feel something real and honest. I think this new music
has challenged me and set a new vibe within the sound of what everyone will
hear when they listen. I personally feel it is my best music yet.”

Besides
“Already High,” Hodges and his label, Show Dog Universal Music, released a
second new song, “Lay It Down,” exclusively to Sirius satellite radio. According to Hodges, he wants to get as
much new music out to the fans as possible prior
to the release of a new CD.

The upcoming
album will offer a more reflective take on the music and a different twist in
the lyrics. It includes a diversity that suggests Hodges is creating a whole
new kind of Country Pop Rock music blend. His first three singles, “Goodbyes
Made You Mine, “Hunt You Down” and “Sleepy Little Town” were vital precursors
to what is to come in the evolution of his music. These songs also lay a solid
groundwork with music fans; collectively selling well more than 300,000
downloads. Add those sales to consistent touring over the past year, and a star
turn in the Hallmark Channel’s December 2013 movie Finding Christmas and the table is well set for Hodges’ return to
the country music charts.

“I am looking
forward to getting my new music and the story behind it out,” Hodges said. “I’m
very proud of what’s being created. It’s true to me, and I think any artist
would say he or she has no regrets and can hold their head high if that’s the
case.”

Growing up in a musical family in Ft. Worth, Texas and
spending most of his free time at his dad’s studio, Jim Hodges Buffalo Sound,
gave JT a unique foundation for music appreciation. Affectionately known as
Pops, his dad studied concert piano at Julliard and jazz composition at the
University of Texas. His mother Marsha, who Hodges says to this day can still
out-sing him by a mile, decided to pass on a
country record deal with MCA in order to pursue motherhood. The studio
was the family’s second home and at age seven Hodges was singing and writing
his own lyrics. When asked what the first song he ever wrote was, JT laughed
and replied, “It was called ‘Lover Girl’ and I was in 1st
grade. Hey, I still think it’s a
hit.”

Hodges
witnessed numerous artists and producers at work in his family’s studio,
including heavyweights like T-Bone Burnett, Michael Bolton and Delbert
McClinton, and each left a lasting impression on him. His grandmother loved
Conway Twitty; his mother loved the early rock of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and
Buddy Holly while Pops often praised artists like George Strait, Reba McEntire
and Garth Brooks. All of this has contributed to Hodges being viewed as the
sultry country music artist with a little bit of attitude and a Texas size
personality.

In addition
to the timeless classics he was exposed to at home, his musical influences also
include Don Henley, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp and Tom Petty. He considers
these artists timeless, honest treasures. And it’s this honesty that he carries
in his own music.

“I started
writing songs at an early age and was around such great music that it is
naturally a part of me,” Hodges said. “Of course, I was interested in
other things like sports as a kid, but music was always there.”

After
spending a few years in Los Angeles, where he met wife Kasey, Hodges moved to
Nashville in 2010. He quickly caught the eye of some of the industry’s most
influential producers and managers. He signed with Show Dog-Universal
Music in 2011 and released his debut single “Hunt You Down” from his album JT
Hodges, which charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. The follow up
single “Goodbyes Made You Mine” raced up the charts and the music video quickly
racked up more than one million views; the song continues to be a fan
favorite. Another single off the album “Sleepy Little Town” spent two
weeks at #1 on Sirius/XM’s The Highway.
That same year Hodges was nominated as a semi-finalist in the New Artist
of the Year category for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music
(ACM) Awards.

The Texas newcomer’s
original and raucous sound combined with his soulful lyrics make him an
undeniable country-rock artist. Hodges has produced himself and worked
with a variety of other producers including Busbee, Nathan Chapman, Don Cook,
Ross Copperman and Show Dog- Universal Music President Mark Wright --- who has
worked on both Hodges’ freshman and current sophomore efforts. He has
collaborated with numerous award-winning songwriters such as Rivers Rutherford,
Chris Stapleton, Shane McAnally, Eric Paslay, Nathan Chapman, Ross Copperman,
Don Cook and Mark Wright. He has toured with the likes of Eric
Church, Eli Young Band, Toby Keith and Miranda Lambert among others. He has
also performed multiple times on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

As mentioned
earlier, in December of 2013 Hodges took his theatre and acting talents to
network television when he starred in Finding
Christmas, a Hallmark Films release on the Hallmark Channel during the
network’s popular holiday programming schedule. The movie became the #1 rated
movie of the week and cemented a rave review for Hodges from the New York
Times. He also performed a heartwarming rendition of the holiday
classic “Joy to the World,” which was released digitally the same month.

It goes without saying that JT Hodges is acting every bit of himself,
making the music that he loves and giving back to the fans what he gets from
them…an honest reaction. Under the bright lights of the stage, one has no
problem recognizing the singer’s passion and heartfelt thankfulness for his
audience. His newest music continues to set JT Hodges apart from other artists
and offers a new style with very little restrictions.

“The journey
continues to be amazing and that’s what it’s all about,” Hodges said. “Making
music, the kind that is true to me, is all that I want to do.”